Big show heralds the start of the Capital of Culture year in Chemnitz

Chemnitz is ringing in the year as European Capital of Culture today (19:00) with a grand opening show at the Marx Monument. It will be organized by musicians such as Bosse, Fritz Kalkbrenner and Paula Carolina. In the afternoon, artists will present programs on several stages in the city, and there will be a ceremony for around 700 invited guests in the Opera House. Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier is also expected to attend.

In addition, around 120 people will pull a historic steam locomotive through the city in a performance, and a rave is planned at the town hall. The organizers are expecting 70,000 to 100,000 visitors.

Chemnitz is the first time in 15 years that Germany has hosted a European Capital of Culture - the fourth after West Berlin (1988), Weimar (1999) and Essen (2010). The fourth largest city in eastern Germany shares the title with Nova Gorica (Slovenia). More than 200 projects and more than 1,000 events will be offered around the motto "C the Unseen".